Witness History Jimmy Carter visits Cuba
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Feb 4, 2026 Jennifer McCoy, director of the Carter Center Americas program in 2002 and later a political science professor, recounts accompanying Jimmy Carter to Havana. She describes arranging a live Spanish broadcast, meetings with dissidents and Castro, a surprise Q&A at the university, and a memorable baseball game that followed his speech. The episode focuses on the visit’s planning, interactions and immediate political impact.
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Unexpected Productive Dinner
- Jimmy Carter and Fidel Castro had a long, rambling dinner conversation that tested patience but ended productively.
- Carter signaled he wanted to move on and Castro obliged, showing mutual respect despite differences.
Direct Broadcast Strategy
- Carter insisted on speaking live and in Spanish so Cubans would hear his words directly without filtering.
- Jennifer McCoy negotiated a rare agreement for Cuba to broadcast the speech without prior approval.
Visiting Dissidents Allowed
- During Carter's tour crowds were friendly and the team could visit dissidents including Varela Project organisers.
- The visit included freedoms unusual for Cuba, suggesting Castro was allowing limited openness for the trip.